Europe is losing its innovative edge in biopharma, especially when it comes to advanced therapy medicinal products, including tissue, gene and cell therapies used to prevent, treat and cure rare conditions and some cancers.
Innovent Biologics Inc. said that, compared to a placebo, both doses of its anti-PCSK-9 monoclonal antibody tafolecimab tested in a phase III trial “yielded significant and durable reductions” in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and showed a favorable safety profile in Chinese patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia.
Luye Pharma Group has received marketing approval from China’s NMPA for the triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor Ruoxinlin (toludesvenlafaxine hydrochloride) to treat patients with major depressive disorder, a condition that “has become one of the most prevalent mental disorders in China, causing a heavy burden on patients, their families and the entire society,” said Luye President Yang Rongbing.
Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.’s subsidiary Eucure Biopharma Co. Ltd. has granted Isu Abxis Co. Ltd. rights to use its humanized agonistic anti-CD40 antibody YH-003 to develop cancer drugs.
Zhuhai Beihai Biotech Co. Ltd. has raised nearly ¥200 million (US$27.5 million) in a series B round slated to support clinical trials for its lead candidates as well as preparations to file an NDA for its core asset, BH-009.
Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.’s subsidiary Eucure Biopharma Co. Ltd. has granted Isu Abxis Co. Ltd. rights to use its humanized agonistic anti-CD40 antibody YH-003 to develop cancer drugs.
Broncus Holding Corp.’s disposable nebulizing microcatheter for an endoscope has been approved by China’s NMPA. The product Mist Fountain is the only nebulizing micro-catheter product available on the Chinese market to treat lung disease, according to the company.
Zhuhai Beihai Biotech Co. Ltd. has raised nearly ¥200 million (US$27.5 million) in a series B round slated to support clinical trials for its lead candidates as well as preparations to file an NDA for its core asset, BH-009, an injectable formulation of docetaxel that excludes polysorbate 80 (Tween 80), a surfactant that has been associated with increased risk of adverse events, including hypersensitivity. The company claims that no similar product is currently available worldwide.
Shanghai’s State Medical Products Administration announced that GSK plc has been banned from participating in volume-based procurement tenders until April 29, 2024, after failing a good manufacturing practices (GMP) inspection at a contract manufacturing plant in Poland that makes products for China.
Nearly six months after ditching its phase II/III COVID-19 vaccination study to chase a booster strategy, Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc. is now ditching the heterologous booster.